Vehicle signal



Aug. 9, 1927. 1,638,296 V A. EKMAN VEHICLE SIGNAL Filed Aunt. 14.v 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Lgi.. A

Ang. 9, 1927.

1,638,296 A. EKMAN VEHICLE'SIGNAL -Fled Auer. 14. 1922 4 *Sheets-Sheet 3 Innuenor Andrew ,E kmom (mbv-neg;

A. EKMAN vEHIcLE SIGNL' Aug. 9, 1927. l 1,638,296y

Filed Az.14. 1922 4 sheets-sheet 4 `A 69. 45 l E lgl Inuenfor Andrew E kmo Patented Aug. 9, 1927.

UNITED STATES ANDREW EKMAN, 0F GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

VEHICLE SIGNAL.

Application filed August 14, 1922. Serial No. 581,637.

This invention relates to a signal adapted particularly for use on motor vehicles to indicate to those in front and behind any contemplated change in direction of movement of the vehicle or its stopping. The signal is designed for electrical operation, and it is an object and purpose of the invention to make a signal of this character which is simple and particularly novel yin construction, one which is manufactured at exceptionally low cost so as to be marketed at a low price, one which is durable and eiiicient in service, and one which gives a full and clear signal indication for all either in front 0f or behind the vehicle equipped with the signal. A further object of the invention is to produce a signal of this character in which the electric control devices therefor are particularly simple, inexpensive and effective, and to provide the same with a light which may be easily and readily cut out when not needed, as in the daytime, and as easily connected when needed at night. All of these features, aswell as many others not at this time specifically enumerated, will appear as understanding of the invention is had from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is an elevation of the signal as it appears from either front or rear when in a neutral position.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary like elevation showing the signal indicating a change of direction to be made. l

Fig. 3 is a like view with the signal in position to indicate a contemplated stopping of lthe vehicle.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged elevation of one of the rotary signal members, showing the same in its neutral position.

Fig. 5 is a partial section andV elevation of the main supporting bracket on which the signal mechanism is mounted within the casingor housing therefor. i

Figs. 6 and 7 are fragmentary elevations of the two electromagnets used and the arms connected therewith and operated thereby on movement thereof.

Fig. 8 is a vertical section through the signal in a plane paralleling the front and back of the. casing. y

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section, taken substantially on the plane `of line 5) 9 of Fig. 8.

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are partial sections and elevations, showing the operating mechanism for the signal in three diHerent positions which it is adapted to take to show the two changes of direction and the stop indications.

Fig. 13 is a horizontal section on the plane of line Ulf-13, of Fig. 14.

Fig. 14 is a central vertical section through the operating switch for the signal.

Fig. 15 is an outer side view of the junction block set in one side of the casing for connecting the `wiring of the signal.

Fig. 16 is an inner side view thereof, and

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic lay-out of the ywiring circuits used in the signal.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

1n the construction a casing or housing of sheet metal is used, made up into cylindrical form as indicated at 1, at its edges being formed with beads 2 whereby annular grooves are made on the inner sides for the reception of plates 3 and 4, the former of which is of glass and is on the outside while the latter is of sheet metal and against the inner side of the glass plate. These plates are retained in place by split spring rings 5 seated in the grooves of beads 2, as shown.

The inner metal plates 4 having relatively wide openings 6 cut therethrough at opposite sides of the center of the plate, the same being connected by a. narrower opening which passes across the center of the plate as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The openings (5 and T are inhorizontal alineinent and it is through the same that the signal indications appear to those either in front of or back of the vehicle on which the signal is mounted, both ends of the casing being equipped in the same manner.

Vithin the casing a supporting bracket is secured, the same being formed of sheet metal of heavier gage than the casing and comprising an upper side 8 and two depending spaced apart sides 9 and 10. At each end of the upper section 8, ears 11 extend and are bent slightly downwardly to conform to the inner sides of the casing 1, and to which they are permanently secured by rivets or equivalent fastening. The depend in@` part 9 has lan arm 12 extending laterally,

ata its end turned at right angles to form a ing inwardly'.` In addition, the depending side 9 of the bracket is formed between the arni 12 and the lower extending' part oit said side 9 with a relatively short downwardly extending arin 17, -at its lower end turned at right angles to Jtorni an ear 17, as shown in Fig. 5. A lever 18 is pivotally mounted at 19 on the arin 17 above the ear 17a, ex"n tending across the face of the side 9 and ad.- jacent Aits end being,` it'orincd' with an inwardly turned lug 18a, the purpose koi which will later appear. The lever-13 has a short upward projection over the pivot 19, at its upper end being' turned'inwardlyr to torniv a lug or ear 18, and a spring 2O coiled around vthe pivot pin 19 has its ends `engaged with the parts'laand 18h, the tendency oit the vspringheing` to inove the free end ot lever 18 in a downward direction.

Ashaft 21, nearly as long as the length otthe'casing, passes through the lower ends o't'the'depending, sides 9 and 1()` ol the bracket support, being rotatably mounted therein. A pinion 22A is lixed on the shatt adjacent tlieside 9 ot th-e support. 23 passes through said sides 9 and 10 (see Fig'. 9) a short distance below the upper side 8 ot the support. mounted on the rod 23, extending' downwardly toward shatt 2l, at its lower end being widened, as indicated at 25, the lower 'edgebeing formed with teeth 26 to inesh with` the 1pinion 22. The wider portion or head 25 is also formed with anintegral lateral projection 27 in which a relatively wide opening 23 is cut, the saine being narrowed at its inner end, as shown at 29 with a shoulder 30 torn'ied at the juncture of the two parts 28 and 29 ot the opening, as shown. A short bar 31 is connected to the wider head 25 below the said shoulder` 30 and extends at right angles troni the saine, the purpose ot which will hereinafter appear-L I Y At its upper end arni 24; has an integral lateral extension 32 which, utter a short distance is bent to substantially parallel. the rod 23, as indicated at and then bent back to ward the rod making a part 3ft through which the rod passes. rlhe parts 32,32, 33 and 3ljtor1n a stirrup tor the connection of an electromagnet, the core 35 of which is permanently secured at one endvtot-he part 33, around which a winding,` 36 is wound. rlhe outer iree end ot the core 35 in its uppermost position engages against the lugl 16 struck` Vtroni part 15, as shown in l'lio'. 12.

A second arni 37 is loosely inounted on v the rod 23 between the arin 2liand the side 9 ot the support, extending downwardly and laterally for a distancey and then provided with a bend 38 whichfbrings its lower end and the lateral projection 39 thereot into the saineplane with the arin 24. v This arm, as well as arin 24 is formed with a stir A rod.

An arni 2st islloosely.

1,2. A springr is coiled around the rod 23, 1

having its ends extended as arins 115, to

bear against the upper edges ot the parts 33' andA 451 ot the stil-rups. A second spring 46 is ycoiled around" the rod its ends'ttrL extending downwardly and crossingeach other and then passing one to each side oi' the bar 31 and shatt 2 t v i, At each end or' the shaft 2,1" a disk is secured totill the adjacent end ot the casingI and turn with the rotation of the shaft.

Each disk comprises a reinforcing plate 47 ot metal formed with a lreturn iange 48 at its edges to pass over the edges oi' and se-v cure a 'transparent nieinber 19 in position onr the plate 17. The ineniber A/l9'is inade opaque except at certain portions definingl an arrow 50, a second arrow 51 and a series ot letters at 52 for the word' Stop. The two arrows cross each other at an acute angle and atthe center of Vthe disk and in the neutral position oi the dish, neither the arrows or the word Stop show plainly through 'the openings at 6 and in the backing plate Ll.V This appears in Fig. 1, portions oi the arrow oj'ienings lshowingl but giving` no indication ot anything. When the indicating disks are turned with the rota-tion et' the rod or shaft 21, as hereafter described, an arrow 51 or t 2 may be brought to a horizontal position, as

shown in Fig. 2,clearly indicating a contemplated change indirection ot' movement of the vehicle, and it turned still farther, the word Stop will showthrough the opening 6, as in Fig. 3. l

An electric bulb 53 is mounted in a suit'- able holder 54l,tixed on a bar 55 in turn connected to the casing l, thereby making a ground connection 'tor 1 vthe bulb. The lowerend ot the bulb-is engaged by a spring contact bar 5G which is secured to a block 57 oitinsulating material which is attached to the upper side of the bar 55. In the side of the casing 1, a junction box is placed 'and secured, including; ahousing 58 et sheet metal which houses a junction disk 59 of insulat` ing material on which the various connections between the wiring to the light bulb and electromagnets `'wit in theV casing is niade with the wires leading troni the outside to the easing. A contact post 60 on the disk has a wire 6G leading therefrom to the spring contact bar 56; A wire 61 connected with a battery 62 or other suitable source oi' electric energy leads to a post 65?L passing through the disk, from which a bar 65 leads to theV center ot the disk, a ,switch lever 63 being pivotally mounted at 64 at the inner end of the bar 65 and adapted to swing into and out of contact engagement with the contact 66. Vhen in engagement, it is apparent that the light circuit is completed, and the bulb 53 will be lighted, but when not in such contact engagement, the bulb is not lighted. The switch lever 63 is readily accessible for manual operation and the light circuit may be completed or broken at will.

Two additional binding posts 67 and 63 pass through the disk 59 and wires 69 and 70, respectively, are connected to the inner ends thereof, leading to the windings 36 and 44, respectively, of the electromagnets, the return wires 69 and 7 Oa from said windings connecting to the inner end of the post 65a. fires 71 and 72 lead from the outer ends of the posts 67 and 68, respectively to two spi-:ing members 73 and 74, forming parts of a switch which is mounted on the steering wheel or the dash or other conveniently accessible place for manual operation by the driver of the vehicle. These spring members are fastened to a base 75 of insulating material, in turn fixed to a bracket 76 having a ground connection to the vehicle, and the adjacent free ends thereof are normally lccated a short distance above the upper end of a short post 77 which passes through the base 75 and connects with the bracket 76.

An ear 78 extends upwardly from the bracket 76 through the base 75 and carries a pin 79 which passes through a vertical slot 81 in a movable switch member 80, of insulating material, said member being formed with oppositely extending lingers to lie one above each spring member 73 and 74. The switch member is equipped with an operating button or head 83 at its upper end and at its upper portion passes through the top of a housing 84 of sheet metal, the same being slotted at both sides of the switch member', at 85, to permit either the lateral tilting of the member in either direction, or the direct downward movement thereof. lVhen tilted in one direction, it is evident that one only of the spring members 73 or 74 is forced downwardly into Contact engagement with the post 77. When moved directly downwardly, both spring members are brought into contact with the post.

If a turn to the right is to be made, the switch member is tilted to the right and spring member 74 engaged against post 77. A circuit is thereupon completed through the winding at 44 energizing the core 43 which moves toward the part 13 of the metal bracl'- et support. This moves rarm 37 to t-he left (referring to Fig. l0) withdrawing the stop end 39 from the arm 24, and the arms 45EL of the spring 45 are tensioned,causing the arm 24 and attached parts to follow whereupon the shaft 21 is turned through pinion 22 and the teeth 26 in a counterclockwise direction, sufficient to bring the arrow 50 into horizontal position to show through the openings 6 and 7 in the plate 4. As

soon as the switch is released and the circuit broken, the springs 45 and 46 return the parts to neutral position.

For a left hand turn, the switch member is tilted to the left bringing the member 7 3 into contact with post 77 and closing the circuit through the winding 36, energizing core 35 which moves toward the part 15 with a resultant turning of arm 24 and rotation of the shaft 21 and attached disk 'signal members in a clockwise direction and z-` operation. Release of the switch and breaking of the circuit frees the parts for return to neutral position as before.

When the switch is pressed directly downward, both circuits through both windings 36 and 44 are completed, both cores 43 and are energized and the outer ends of both cores move upward toward their respective attracted parts 13 and 15, as in Fig. 1Q. The arms 24 and 37 move in opposite directions and the shaft is rotated in a clockwise direction. time than when the left turn is indicated, as the lower end of the arm. 37 strikes against the part 1S" of the lever 18, elevating the free end of the lever so as to bring tlie stop lug 18a above the shoulder 30. This additional rotation permitted turns the indicating disks so that the word Stop is brought to horizontal position and shows through the openings 6 in plate 4, as it appearsl in Fig. 3.

The light may be either lighted or unlighted during the operations of the signal, having no effect thereon. position, sufficient of the arrow openings for the passage of light is left to indicate the position of the signal at night and call at tention thereto whenaI change in position of the signal. disks is made. ln practice the signal may be placed at the left of the driver, or any other suitable place on the vehicle. It is apparent that the length of wire needed is small, the two wires 71 and 72 leading to the control switch not being of any great 'length necessarily, while the It is rotated farther this y In the neutral one wire 61 leading t0 the btte'ly Wm b@ of greater length but not excessive. The parts are readily stamped from sheet metal at comparatively low cost. All of the parts are low in cost and the manufacturing cost and selling price are low. The operation of the signal is sure and positive. The movelari disk having Vthe major portion thereof nient ot the energized cores toward the parts 13 and lis smooth and easy due to the indirect line o't' attraction and the stopping does not induce any strains trom jar or other abrupt stop et the movements, as the cores would stop in any event when directly in line with the parts and 15. The construcion practical in every respect and has so proved.V in practice.l KIheappended claims define the invention and l consider myselt entitled to all forms et construction` coming;l within their scope.

l claim: Y

v1. in a device of the character described, an indicating; disk provided with two arrows crossed between their ends at the een` tei' of thefdisk and positioned at an acute angle with respect to each other and with the word Stop located across the :t'ace ot the disk across andhetweenthe endsot the ar' rows. y I v y 2; ln a'deviceot ,the characterdescribed,

opaqueand provided witl'i transliaiient por tions in the shape oli arrows crossing each other at an acute angle to each other at th centerof the disk., and with other transpar ent portions consisting' ot the letters S ancr 'l` hetween one end of the arrows, and the letters (i) and P between the opposite endsli y ont thel arrows. Y

3. 'In a device ot the character describeda cylindrical casing, a plate located in an enc 5. Incoinhination with i cylindrical heus ing, a plate in each'end or the housingl having,` elongated horizontal openings therein, a 1

disk rotatably mounted at the inner side of each plate and having a plurali `y ot' indicating characters thereon located diainetrically across the disk aiiglesto each other,said disks in nornial neutral 'position heinggglol cated so that no indicating character ,lies horizontally across the disks, and electrically operated means 'lor selectively turning the disks to any one of a pliirality ot. positions wherein one ot` the indicating characters is located horizontally to slioiv through. the openings in saidplates. i y i 6. ln `device-ot the character described7 a cylindrical casing, a plate having horizontally alined olienings therein located in one ithin and lengthwise et the c hereoi" opaque and asit' tlierctl'ironeli, operating; means A with the sha i norinallv positioned o that no indicating` indicia is .disposedhori-` izontally across the disk, and means for seturn the sliaftt te and hold it in three dilrent positions wherein one et the indicalnig` indicia isrdisposed liorizontally across end oi the casing, a shat't rotatably mountedv ed at the ,end et the shaft, said dish havlectively opeintiii'ih said oiieiiatiiig` means 'tov et the casing` lhavingl horizontal elongatecltithe Jsk lo he visible throuejh the openings opeiiings in alineinentwith the horizontal* in the plate.` a diterer diameter Yot the (plate, a shaft rotatably mounted lengthwise and centrally otl th casing, an indicating disk secured at the endw kot the shaft carrying three indicating char-tz actors indicating' right and left and stopft" said.v indicating., characters being vlocated Vdiainetrically across the disk at different positionsn and means to selectively and elec-A trically actiiate the sha'lt to turn it to three separate positions to. brin@lv any selected'indicating` character into horizontal position -to show through said openings in the plate.

acters located diametrically across the disk angles to each other, means normally positioning' the shaft and disk so that each ot the indicating` characters lies at an angle tothefhorizontal, and means for effecting rotation ofthe shaft to any one of a plurality of positions whereby an indicatingcharacter on the disk is positioned horizontally, substantially as described.

rdiciaV being visilole at each posit-ion oi' the disk. i

7, :iny a device of the character described, a carine'a a shaft rotatahly mounted therein a pinion on the shaft. a pivotally 'mounted arm termed at one end with teeth to engage lthe pinion., second pivotally` mounted arm harina; a "trece, adapted to ei'i'gage against an edee ot lthe first arm, an electromagnet connected with and movable with each armi, means for selectively energia. either ina(L net, metal members located adiacent the tree ends ot the magnets and toward which the magnets nieve v ien energized. connections between the arins 'for moving the first arm in one direction when the iiiapgnet connected to the second arin is energized and opposite to .its movement when the magnet connecter thereto. is eneraized.v and an indicating; disk memher connected to the end oil:l the shait, substantially as descril'ied. y y

8.v ln a device the character dcscril'ied. a casing, a shattrotatahly mounted thereiin av pinion on the sliaitt. a pivotally mounted arm iliormed atene end with teeth to engrae'e the pinion, a. disk having two crossed indicating' arrows thereon vsecured at end of the shalt. a plate in the `end ot the casing; having an elongated horizontal opening' therethrough, means normally acting; ont-he lll?) lia isa

fit)

CLI

arm to position the disk so that said arrows' lie at anglais to thev horizontal, and means for selectively actuating the arm in opposite directions about its pivot to thereby rotate the dislr opposite directions Ytroni its normal position to bringeither arrow into horizontal position in conjunction with the opening in the plate, sub-'tantially as described.

l). ln a device ot the charact described,

a horizontally positioi jd cylindrical casing. a bracket support therein attached to the upper side ol' the casing and having two spaced apart depending` sides, a shalt rotatably mounted. in and passing through the lower ends ot said sides longitudinally and centrally of the casing, a pinion on the shaitt` a disk attached to one end oi the shaft, and having its maior` portion opaque and with portions permitting' the passage ot light inv the torni ot two aiio Ts crossine` each other at au angle to each other at the center oit the disk, and with letters forming the word Stop positioned vertically on the Clisi?A between the ends ot the arrows, a plate at one end ot the casing` adjacent said dist: termed with an elonfeyated horizontal openinnl therethrough, a rod passing through the depending sides oi" the bracket above `the shaft, two stirrups loosely mounted on the. rod in opposition to each other, one ot' said stirrups havinga downwardly extending arm at one sido formed at its lower end with a widened portion having an opening therethrough wider at its outer than at its inner end with a` shoulder at the juncture of the wider and narrower parts of the opening. teeth on the lower edge ot the said widened portion ot the arm in mesh with the pinion, a lever pivotally mounted on one ot the dependingsides oi" the bracket formed at its tree end with a lugpassing into said opening in the arm and provided with an upward extension and inturned ear at the upper end thereo't over its pivot, a spring normally tendingto move the free end of the lever in a downward direction, a second. arm dependingsf from the other stirrup and formed at its lower end with a head lying in the same plane with the irst arm and Said ear on the lever, a spring around the rod having` its ends extended over and engaging with the stirrups, an electromagnet core connected to each oit the stirrups, said bracket support being' formed, with parts turned to lie immediately beyond the outer ends of the cores when the saine are in upper.'

positionq and windings on said cores, substantially as and for the purposes described.

10. A construction containing they elements in combination defined in claim 9, combined with a` member attached near the lower end of the lirst arm and extending therefrom parallel to the shaft, and a second spring around the rod having depending ends crossing each other and passing on op posite sides of said member and the shalt., substantially as described.V

1l. A construction containing the elcments defined in combination in claim 9, combined with stops struck from the parts ot the bracket support adjacent the outer ends ot the cores, said stops lying in the paths ot movement of the cores.

l2. A device of the class described, comprising a cylindrical casing, a plate in the end ot the casing having a horizontal diametrically located elongated opening therethrough, a rotatably mounted disk located parallel to and adjacent said plate and carrying three series of indicating characters located diainetrically across the disk at angles to veach other, electrically actuated means associated with the disk to turn the same to three different positions a'way .trom its normal position to bring any selected in* dicating character into horizontal position 'to show through the opening in the plate, and means for manually selecting and causing the operation of said turning means for showing of a selected indicating character.

13. A device ot the class described, comprising a casing, a plate in one end ot the casing having a horizontal diametrically located elongated opening therethrough, a rotatably mounted disk located parallel to and adjacent said plate and carrying a plurality ot indicating characters located diametrically across the disk at angles to each other', means associated with the disk to turn thc same and normally positioning the disk so that no indicating character thereon is located horizontally, and means tor selectively causing the operation of said turning means to turn the disk to any one ot aplurality of `positions in which selected indicating character is located horizontally to show through the opening in the plate, substantially as described.

14. A shaft and means for moving the same to different positions comprising a pinion on the shaft, af pivoted arm having gear teeth meshing with said pinion, means li'or yieldably holding the` arm and returning it to normal position, means for moving the arm in one direction, a stop to engage the a'rm to limit its movementin said direction, a second pivoted arm, means for moving it in the opposite direction, yieldable means connecting said arms whereby the lirst arm is moved with the second arm in said opposite direction and means on the.V second arm to disengage the said stop from the tirst arm.

15. A shaft and means for moving the same to dili'erent positions comprising a pinion on the shaft, a pivoted arm having teeth to mesh With said pinion, asecond pivoted arm, an electromagnet on each arm, stationary armatures to which the magnets l (if) are attracted',r When energized, to kmove the respective arms 1n opposite directions, yieldable means connecting said arms whereby one yieldazbly moves the other, means to Vyieldsecond arm to disengage the stop'from the first arm and electric circuits including selective means for controlling the same whereby either or both of said magnets may be energized.

ln testimony whereof I aHiX my signature.'

ANDREW' EKMAN. 

